Arsenal midfielder Cazorla, 33, revealed this week that he is not expecting to play again until 2019 because of his long-running Achilles injury.

Cazorla’s contract is up this summer and Arsenal must decide whether to give him a new deal or whether he will have to leave the Emirates.

Gunners boss Wenger said: “That depends on his medical availability at the top level. we have to assess that until the end of the season - if Santi is fit and available to play, then yes. Of course, we have to see that.

“That is why I tell you it is a complicated situation because first of all we love him, second of all he is a great football player but the third situation is that you need to be healthy today to play at the intensity level that is needed in the Premier League. So we have to see if he can absorb that or not.

Cazorla might never play for Arsenal again (Image: Getty Images Europe)

“The latest news is that he is supposed to come back now. He had his latest surgery and we have to see where we go from there.”

Cazorla, who has had further surgery in Spain, is already facing doubts over whether he will be able to play again at the top level but Wenger is hoping he can come back. Cazorla even took some skin from his arm - which featured a tattoo - to have grafted to the affected area.

Wenger insists he might have to make a big call on Cazorla (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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Wenger added: “I am not informed enough about his medical situation. I sent him a message two weeks ago and wished him well and hoping to see him soon. he has not come back yet because he has just had surgery.

“The medical people know much better than I do whether he will play again in 2018 before the end of the season. On that front, before the end of the season will be hard for him.”